Lurgan Action Cancer Community Group's annual Christmas Craft Fair at Brownlow Castle

This is the seventh year the popular community event will be staged at Brownlow Castle.

Running from 10am to 3pm, the fair promises a fun-filled day for visitors of all ages.

Visitors can explore a festive marketplace featuring more than 20 talented local crafters and vendors and afterwards enjoy a hot drink and a tasty treat from Cool Cuppas.

Live seasonal music from the popular ukulele group Strings and Sings will add to the festive atmosphere, alongside a highly anticipated special visit from Santa Claus between 12pm and 2pm.

Entry to the event is a recommended donation of £5 or whatever visitors can afford and children go free. Those attending will also be entered into a draw for an overnight stay at the Grand Central Hotel, Belfast.

Event founder Eleanor Hamilton commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be back at Brownlow Castle for the Action Cancer Christmas Craft Fair.

"The event is entirely coordinated by a dedicated team of volunteer fundraisers and every penny raised from the fair goes directly toward supporting Action Cancer’s cancer support services in the local community.

“Since its inception in 2019, we have raised an incredible £25,000 for the charity. All money raised goes directly toward maintaining the free, life saving support services for people here in the town and across Northern Ireland.”

Action Cancer offers free breast screening to women aged 40-49 and over 70 age groups not currently covered by the standard NHS screening framework and aims to screen 8,000 women annually at Action Cancer House and regionally on board its Big Bus which is supported by SuperValu and Centra.

The charity said that for every 1,000 women screened, an average of eight hidden breast cancers are detected.

Mark Irwin-Watson, Action Cancer’s Community Groups Executive, added: “Thanks to events like this family Christmas Fare, we have successfully brought the Big Bus mobile screening unit directly to over 120 locations across Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council area over the last five years including the grounds of Brownlow Castle, providing critical, accessible healthcare directly to residents’ doorsteps.

"We are incredibly grateful to the entire team at the castle, whose continued support makes this event possible which in turns enables Action Cancer to continue supporting local people.”

Also lending her platform to the event this year is Anouska Black, International United Ms Northern Ireland 2025/26.

She said: “I’m delighted to support the Lurgan Action Cancer Group and help raise money for this incredible charity.

"The fact that one in two of us will experience cancer in our lifetime is a truly sobering statistic. By raising funds and supporting Action Cancer Lurgan, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.

"The Action Cancer Christmas Craft Fair, set in such a beautiful location right on our doorstep, is an event not to be missed. I encourage everyone to come along, show their support, and share that special festive feeling!”

All of Action Cancer’s detection, prevention, and therapeutic services are provided completely free of charge to the public, requiring the charity to raise £4 million annually through community events, corporate partnerships, and public donations.